IP Classification for Industrial Scales Explained

Oct 27, 2025 by Sarah Kraatz Blog, Technical Resources Tags:

IP Classification (International Protection) is an internationally standardized system that indicates how well an electrical device is protected against the intrusion of foreign bodies (dust, dirt) and moisture (water, steam, jet water).

The IP code always consists of two digits:

First digit: Protection against solid foreign objects and dust
Second digit: Protection against moisture and water

Example: IP-65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets from all directions.

IP Protection Table at a Glance

First digit – Protection against contact & foreign bodies

Digit	Protection against contact	Protection against solid foreign objects
0	No protection	No protection
1	Protected against large-area contact (e.g. back of the hand)	Protected from objects ≥ 50 mm in diameter
2	Protected against contact with a finger	Protected from objects ≥ 12.5 mm (e.g. screws, nuts)
3	Protected against access with tools or wires ≥ 2.5 mm	Protected from objects ≥ 2.5 mm (e.g. thick wire scraps, shavings)
4	Protected against access with tools or wires ≥ 1 mm	Protected from objects ≥ 1 mm (e.g. fine dirt, dust particles)
5	Complete contact protection	Dust-protected – ingress only in harmless amounts
6	Complete contact protection	Dust-tight – no dust ingress possible

Second digit – Protection against water

Digit	Protection against water
0	No protection
1	Protected against vertically falling water drops
2	Protected against water drops falling at an angle (up to 15°)
3	Protected against spraying water up to 60° from vertical
4	Protected against splashing water from all directions
5	Protected against water jets from a nozzle
6	Protected against strong water jets (e.g. high pressure)
7	Protected against temporary immersion (up to 1 m for max. 30 min.)
8	Protected against continuous immersion
9K	Protected against high-pressure and steam jet cleaning

Together, both digits define the specific IP classification. Example: IP-67 = dust-tight + protected against temporary immersion in water.

Why IP Classification Matters for Industrial Scales

In industrial environments, scales must deliver reliable and precise results—even when exposed to dust, humidity, or cleaning processes. This is where IP classification becomes essential.

The most sensitive components are:

Load cells – the core of any scale. Even minimal moisture or corrosion can distort measurement results.
Junction box: Connects the load cells to the electronics. Without IP protection, it is the first weak point exposed to dust or water.
Display & electronics: Dust particles, splashing water, or high-pressure cleaning can quickly lead to failures if not adequately protected.

The right IP class ensures that scales measure precisely, last longer, and require less maintenance.

Common IP Protection Types for Industrial Scales

In practice, specific IP classes have proven particularly relevant for industrial scales:

IP Class	Protection against dust/solids	Protection against water	Typical applications
IP-54	Dust-protected (limited ingress allowed)	Protected against splashing water	Logistics, dry industrial environments
IP-65	Dust-tight	Protected against water jets	Food industry, production areas with wet cleaning
IP-67	Dust-tight	Protected against temporary immersion (up to 1 m, 30 min.)	Fish industry, meat processing, outdoor use
IP-68	Dust-tight	Protected against continuous immersion	Chemical industry, extreme moisture environments

Important: “Waterproof” does not always mean the same thing.

IP-65 only protects against water jets.
IP-67 withstands short immersion.
IP-68 allows continuous underwater use.

Especially in the food and chemical industries, these differences are crucial.

Benefits of Choosing the Right IP Classification

Selecting the right IP class provides not only technical protection but also tangible business advantages:

Longer lifespan: Scales that are protected against dust and moisture operate reliably for many years. Corrosion and wear on load cells or electronics are significantly reduced.
High accuracy: If dust or water cannot reach internal components, measurement remains precise. This is critical in industries where even small deviations translate into high costs.
Lower maintenance costs: Well-protected scales experience fewer breakdowns. This saves repair expenses and minimizes downtime in production.
Increased operational safety: Faulty measurements or failures can disrupt entire processes. The right IP class reduces these risks and ensures smooth operations.

Maintenance and IP Protection: What Really Matters

The IP classification of an industrial scale is a fixed specification and does not change through use. A scale with IP-65 will always remain IP-65 according to the standard.

However, the actual protective performance can decrease over time—for example due to:

brittle or damaged seals,
loosened housing screws,
improperly closed cable glands or junction boxes,
aggressive cleaning agents that attack materials.

Regular maintenance helps ensure long-term protection. This includes:

inspecting and replacing seals when necessary,
checking all connection points,
adapting cleaning routines to extend the scale’s service life.

This way, the scale remains as well protected in practice as its IP rating promises—and continues to deliver consistently precise results.

The Right IP Classification for Reliable Industrial Scales

IP classification is far more than a technical label—it determines whether an industrial scale will perform reliably under real-world conditions. Whether it’s dust in production, water jets in food processing, or constant moisture in chemical environments: only when scales, load cells, and junction boxes are properly protected will measurements remain accurate and your investment pay off in the long term.

Our tip: When selecting a scale, don’t just focus on capacity and features. Always make sure the IP rating matches your environment to guarantee long-lasting, reliable performance.

Find the Right Industrial Scale Now

At Gram, you’ll find scales ranging from IP-54 to IP-68—from logistics solutions with IP-54 protection to hygienic scales with IP-65, IP-67, and IP-68 for the food and chemical industries.

Discover industrial scales with the right IP classification here